CARIBOU, Maine – Kayla Richards Brown, Caribou Women’ Faculty Basketball Coach, takes this yr’s crew right into a season with obstacles by no means earlier than confronted by this system.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed again the beginning date and shortened the season from 18 video games to 12.

This season marks Brown’s fourth general with the Vikings and she or he stated that whereas the pandemic has posed challenges, Caribou has been lucky to have the ability to put collectively a crew.

The Vikings completed 6-12 final season and misplaced 56-35 to Winslow in a troublesome prelims.

Caribou began on Monday in opposition to Dyer E book’s Southern Aroostook and is scheduled to complete the common season on Saturday February 22 in opposition to Presque Isle.

Opponents this season additionally embody Houlton, Central Aroostook of Mars Hill and Fort Kent. Madawaska, the opposite scheduled opponent, selected to not discipline a girls’s crew.

Brown stated Presque and Houlton at all times deliver sturdy groups and this yr Caribou may also face Southern Aroostook and Central Aroostook, who’ve sturdy schedules.

This yr’s record consists of seniors Emily Collins, Sage Dubay and Paige Hale; juniors Mia Theriault and Gabrielle Sutherland; sophomores Ashlyn Bouchard, Saffayia Durepo, Selena Savage and Nevaeh Trombley; and freshmen Emma Butler, Emily Clayton, Libby Collier and Jillian Zeigler.

“This season presents challenges that we have by no means needed to face earlier than,” stated Brown. “I feel there is a vital lesson in not taking our alternatives with no consideration, and I hope we are able to be taught and develop from this season in a manner that goes past the pitch.

Brown stated this yr’s crew has a number of potential.

“I hope the ladies have the possibility to play and I do know they’ll present nice enhancements due to their potential to be coached,” stated the coach.

The crew misplaced six seniors on the finish of their research, together with 4 starters. Potential newbies this yr are Collins, Savage, Bouchard, Dubay and Sutherland.

Collins is a four-year-old school participant who Brown says is flexible and will get higher yearly. She is taking a management position this winter.

Savage returns as the start line keeper and Brown says she handles the ball calmly and is aware of the sport nicely.

Bouchard is again after a late begin final yr resulting from restoration from knee surgical procedure. The coach stated she was in a position to soar in shortly and contribute, including that she was an ideal shot.

Dubay returns for his senior season after taking day off final winter to ski. Brown stated she reveals nice willpower and a powerful aggressive nature.

Sutherland, a junior guard, is an aggressive participant with the power to attain.

Junior guard Mia Theriault and sophomore middle Neveah Trombley are additionally again.

Senior graduates embody factors and rebounds chief Paige Espling, beginning guards Taylor Skidgel and Kim Susi, and robust submit participant Taylor LaBreck. Additionally gone are Abbi Robbins and Renee Stubbs.

Brown stated the crew was glad to have the ability to play this winter.

“I feel everyone seems to be feeling the strains of the present pandemic,” stated Brown, “not simply due to sport, however due to the shortcoming to renew regular actions. It means quite a bit to ladies to have the ability to get on the pitch and be with their friends whereas taking part in one thing they love. Though it seems to be totally different this yr, I feel everyone seems to be grateful for the chance to play.